Sakurai and co. are making new games, and they won't be casual.
Revealed through a recent "Iwata Asks" interview, Masahiro Sakurai, best known for his work on the Smash Bros. series, has formed a new studio called Project Sora. The development studio will be a second-party subsidiary of Nintendo, which will own a 72% stake, and has actually been operating out of Tokyo since January this year.
During the interview Sakurai dropped several hints about what games the new studio is working on. Although no titles, genres, or even systems were mentioned, one thing is clear from Sakurai: they are not interested in making any Brain Training games or other casual products. It appears that Project Sora will be focused on the traditional gaming market.
Another detail that emerged from the interview: Smash Bros. fans hoping for a portable DS version should give up on that dream immediately. Sakurai himself said the studio's project will not be a SSB game but something entirely new and original.
The official website states that the game will be a two-year project, suggesting that Project Sora's project won't land until 2011. The team is currently advertising job openings for 3D modelers, game designers, and programmers.
Be sure to check Nintendo World Report for updates concerning Mr Sakurai and Project Sora.